YES!

I want to support FLOW

for cleaner water! Explore. Discover. Understand. SPring/summer 2010
Choose a membership: Fill in the following:
( ) Individual........................ $25 ( ) New Member
( ) Family............................. $40 ( ) Renewal 3528 N. High St., Suite F

Information
( ) Supporting.................... $50 ( ) Gift Columbus, OH 43214
( ) River Steward.............. $100
( ) Business Basic............. $175 Name(s):
( ) Bronze.......................... $200
( ) Silver............................ $300 Organization/Business:
( ) Gold............................. $500
( ) Sustaining................. $1,000 Address:
( ) Please check here if you
City:
would like more ­information
about volunteering with FLOW.
State:
( ) Please check here for more
information about including
Zip:
FLOW in your estate
planning.
Phone:
Return this form to: Volunteers installing a
FLOW Email: demonstration rain garden at the
Unitarian Universalist Church
3528 N. High St., Suite F in Clintonville.
Columbus, OH 43214 By providing your email,
you will save resources
Or give securely online at: and stay up-to-date on
www.olentangywatershed.org news and events.

“When I First Hopped into the

Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed is a non-profit
River”– A Volunteer Profile
Information

organization dedicated to keeping the Olentangy River clean and

safe for all to enjoy through public education, volunteer activities, and In February, OSU student James Talbert took a few JT: What motivates you to work with FLOW?
coordination with local decision makers. FLOW is registered with the minutes to interview Marilyn Hay, an active FLOW MH: Just the fact that through my work with FLOW
IRS as a tax-exempt, nonprofit charitable organization under Section volunteer and member, to learn more about how she
Published By I get hands-on experience and hands-on
FLOW Board of Directors 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible. became involved and what has inspired her. This information about doing something beneficial.
Laura Shinn, President is the first in an occasional series to honor the
Rich Wissler, Vice President Because FLOW is a small organization, we rely heavily on many volunteers who make up the backbone of JT: What kinds of work do you do with FLOW?
David White, Treasurer volunteer participation to create positive change in our MH: With the monitoring program I’m able to jump in
FLOW’s organization.
Laura Fay, Secretary watershed. Please contact us for more information about how you and investigate, which I really enjoy. We received
Ted Miller
can volunteer. We have a wide variety of opportunities to fit your JT: So, Marilyn, how did you get involved with forty hours of instruction that covered everything
Bernardo Rico
Mike Sapp schedule that will match your skills and interests. FLOW? from wild flowers to environmental controls for
Nikhil Shah MH: I heard about the backyard conservation program construction sites. What they have us monitor is
Joe Tribble FLOW is a member of Earth Share Ohio. You may donate to FLOW the health of the streams that flow into the
from a friend. We went to a workshop and I picked
through Earth Share’s workplace giving campaign, available at up a fifty-gallon rainwater collection barrel. When Olentangy River. You turn over rocks and check
Newsletter Editors numerous private companies, state and municipal government you go to the workshop you can pick up one of out what’s under them in order to assess the
Heather Dean, Watershed Coordinator
agencies, and Combined Federal Campaigns. For more information these rainwater barrels at a discounted price. health of the stream. You also have to take into
Newsletter Layout about workplace giving, please contact us. I have three of them now. consideration what the steam is made of, the
Ellie Nowels, Centipede Graphics environment around the stream, and you classify
JT: What do you do with the rainwater you the stream according to a point code that tells you
Contact FLOW collect? how healthy the stream is.
3528 N. High St., Suite F MH: Every time it rains I have fifty gallons of water to
Columbus, OH 43214 water for use outdoors. See Profile on page 2
(614) 267-3386
info@olentangywatershed.org
www.olentangywatershed.org

Volunteer Profile (continued from page 1)
JT: When is the next monitoring program
offered and how often do you go out to the
Olentangy River with the program?
MH: FLOW is going to start another monitoring class
in the spring. Our group went out every Saturday
for most of the day and every week we went
somewhere else to do something different. I
loved it because I just kept on learning.
JT: What part of the Olentangy River do you
usually focus on for your investigations
with the monitoring program?
MH: We usually visit tributaries of the Olentangy in
the Delaware County area. There’s so much
development up there that you have to get the
tributaries classified so you can advocate for
their protection.
JT: Do you have a favorite spot on the
Olentangy River?
MH: I actually like to go down to Northmoor Park.
It’s a little park that’s part of the bikeway. You
can walk right by the river. I also love to walk my
dogs along the river.
JT: What was your most gratifying moment
working with FLOW?
MH: My most gratifying moment was when I first
hopped into the river. That was the first time that
I’ve really been involved with an organization
that I thought I was doing something to benefit
the environment.
Photo courtesy of Ellie Nowels
Information FLOW: Page 2
Volunteering with FLOW
FLOW depends on volunteers. Rapid improvements
to the quality of the watershed in the past decade are
a testament to the commitment of individuals who
wanted to make a difference. Working together allows
us to achieve great things.
We offer diverse opportunities for people with varied
skill sets, schedules, and interests.
Right now, we have a need for volunteers in the
following areas:
• Board Members
• Fundraising & Finance Committee Members
• Education & Outreach Committee Members
• Science Committee Members
• Public Speakers
• Children’s Program Presenters
• Office Volunteers
• Adopt-an-Area Coordinators
• Adopt-an-Area Volunteers for Workdays
• Stream Monitors
• Wiki Collaborators
Please contact us for more information about how you
can become involved.
Support FLOW by registering
your Kroger Plus Card
By registering your Kroger
Plus card, you can help FLOW
receive a percentage of your
purchases. You can register at
krogercommunityrewards.com. Follow the
directions for creating a Kroger Rewards
Account, and enter FLOW’s NPO number, which
is 84562. To verify you are enrolled correctly, you
will see FLOW’s name on the right side of your
information page. REMEMBER, purchases will
not count for FLOW until after your register your
card(s). You must swipe your registered Kroger
Plus card or use the phone number that is
related to your registered Kroger Plus card when
shopping for each purchase to count. If you are
interested in the alternate SCANBAR method of
member registration, please call 800-837-4483
and a SCANBAR letter will be mailed to you.
FLOW Calendar of Events, Meetings, and
Volunteer Opportunities: Spring & Summer 2010
All times and dates are subject to change. Please confirm time, date, and location by calling our office
at 614-267-3386 or on our website at www.olentangywatershed.org
Earth Day Delaware
What: Visit FLOW’s booth at Delaware’s first Earth Day celebration
When: April 17, 10 AM to 2 PM Where: Downtown Delaware
Earth Day 2010: Adopt an Area of the Olentangy
What: A s part of Columbus’ Earth Day Celebration, FLOW will kick off this year’s Adopt-an-Area of the
Olentangy Program. Volunteers will pick up trash, remove invasive plants, and plant native trees
and shrubs along the Olentangy.
When: April 17-18, several volunteers shifts throughout the day
Where: At 7-10 sites along the Olentangy and tributaries. Please contact the FLOW office to find the site
APRIL
nearest you.
Earth Day 2010: Celebration!
What: Stop by FLOW’s booth at Columbus’ Earth Day Celebration. Festival activities will include music,
entertainment, children’s programs, folk dancing, photo and video contests, and more.
When: April 22 Where: Franklin Park. Check http://update2010.org/celebrate/ for more details.
Spring Plant Walk
What: Each year Friends of the Ravines and FLOW co-sponsor a plant walk to learn about the native plants
that live in our fragile ravine ecosystems. This year, we’ll be exploring Flint Run.
When: April 25, 2:30 to 4:30 PM
Where: Camp Mary Orton. Please contact the FLOW office for full details as they become available.
Rain Garden Workshop
What: A rain garden is an attractive way to landscape your property while at the same time helping to
protect our streams. Join FLOW, the Central Ohio Rain Garden Initiative, and the Sierra Club for
a special workshop to learn how to create a rain garden in your own yard. Participants will be
entered in a drawing to win one of ten rain garden plant kits, valued at $75.
When: MAY 6, 6:30 PM Where: Contact us for location.
MONITOR Training, Part I: Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index
What: This day-long training is for new stream monitors (or existing monitors who want to brush up on
their skills). No previous monitoring experience or scientific background is necessary. The course
is free of charge, and participants agree to give back an equivalent number of volunteer hours to
FLOW’s monitoring program.
may
When: May 15, 9 AM to 4 PM Where: TBD. Please contact the FLOW office to register.
Riverfest 2010
What: Visit the FLOW booth at the kickoff celebration for the month-long Riverfest 2010. The event will
include live music, a performance of WaterFire, boat rides, food, and prizes.
When: May 21, 7:30 to 10:30 PM Where: Along the Scioto River, in Genoa Park, near COSI.
august
Check http://www.riverfestcolumbus.org/kickoff.html for more details.
MONITOR Training, Part II: Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index
What: This two-day training is for new stream monitors (or existing monitors who want to brush up on
their skills). No previous monitoring experience or scientific background is necessary. The course
is free of charge, and participants agree to give back an equivalent number of volunteer hours to
FLOW’s monitoring program.
When: May 22 & 23, 9 AM to 4 PM Where: TBD. Please contact the FLOW office to register.
FLOW Annual Meeting
JUNE
What: Join FLOW members for a short hike at 6:30 followed by our annual business meeting at 7:15.
When: JUNE 3, 6:30 PM Where: Highbanks Metro Park
Information FLOW: Page 3

Volunteer Profile (continued from page 1)
JT: When is the next monitoring program
offered and how often do you go out to the
Olentangy River with the program?
MH: FLOW is going to start another monitoring class
in the spring. Our group went out every Saturday
for most of the day and every week we went
somewhere else to do something different. I
loved it because I just kept on learning.
JT: What part of the Olentangy River do you
usually focus on for your investigations
with the monitoring program?
MH: We usually visit tributaries of the Olentangy in
the Delaware County area. There’s so much
development up there that you have to get the
tributaries classified so you can advocate for
their protection.
JT: Do you have a favorite spot on the
Olentangy River?
MH: I actually like to go down to Northmoor Park.
It’s a little park that’s part of the bikeway. You
can walk right by the river. I also love to walk my
dogs along the river.
JT: What was your most gratifying moment
working with FLOW?
MH: My most gratifying moment was when I first
hopped into the river. That was the first time that
I’ve really been involved with an organization
that I thought I was doing something to benefit
the environment.
Photo courtesy of Ellie Nowels
Information FLOW: Page 2
Volunteering with FLOW
FLOW depends on volunteers. Rapid improvements
to the quality of the watershed in the past decade are
a testament to the commitment of individuals who
wanted to make a difference. Working together allows
us to achieve great things.
We offer diverse opportunities for people with varied
skill sets, schedules, and interests.
Right now, we have a need for volunteers in the
following areas:
• Board Members
• Fundraising & Finance Committee Members
• Education & Outreach Committee Members
• Science Committee Members
• Public Speakers
• Children’s Program Presenters
• Office Volunteers
• Adopt-an-Area Coordinators
• Adopt-an-Area Volunteers for Workdays
• Stream Monitors
• Wiki Collaborators
Please contact us for more information about how you
can become involved.
Support FLOW by registering
your Kroger Plus Card
By registering your Kroger
Plus card, you can help FLOW
receive a percentage of your
purchases. You can register at
krogercommunityrewards.com. Follow the
directions for creating a Kroger Rewards
Account, and enter FLOW’s NPO number, which
is 84562. To verify you are enrolled correctly, you
will see FLOW’s name on the right side of your
information page. REMEMBER, purchases will
not count for FLOW until after your register your
card(s). You must swipe your registered Kroger
Plus card or use the phone number that is
related to your registered Kroger Plus card when
shopping for each purchase to count. If you are
interested in the alternate SCANBAR method of
member registration, please call 800-837-4483
and a SCANBAR letter will be mailed to you.
FLOW Calendar of Events, Meetings, and
Volunteer Opportunities: Spring & Summer 2010
All times and dates are subject to change. Please confirm time, date, and location by calling our office
at 614-267-3386 or on our website at www.olentangywatershed.org
Earth Day Delaware
What: Visit FLOW’s booth at Delaware’s first Earth Day celebration
When: April 17, 10 AM to 2 PM Where: Downtown Delaware
Earth Day 2010: Adopt an Area of the Olentangy
What: A s part of Columbus’ Earth Day Celebration, FLOW will kick off this year’s Adopt-an-Area of the
Olentangy Program. Volunteers will pick up trash, remove invasive plants, and plant native trees
and shrubs along the Olentangy.
When: April 17-18, several volunteers shifts throughout the day
Where: At 7-10 sites along the Olentangy and tributaries. Please contact the FLOW office to find the site
APRIL
nearest you.
Earth Day 2010: Celebration!
What: Stop by FLOW’s booth at Columbus’ Earth Day Celebration. Festival activities will include music,
entertainment, children’s programs, folk dancing, photo and video contests, and more.
When: April 22 Where: Franklin Park. Check http://update2010.org/celebrate/ for more details.
Spring Plant Walk
What: Each year Friends of the Ravines and FLOW co-sponsor a plant walk to learn about the native plants
that live in our fragile ravine ecosystems. This year, we’ll be exploring Flint Run.
When: April 25, 2:30 to 4:30 PM
Where: Camp Mary Orton. Please contact the FLOW office for full details as they become available.
Rain Garden Workshop
What: A rain garden is an attractive way to landscape your property while at the same time helping to
protect our streams. Join FLOW, the Central Ohio Rain Garden Initiative, and the Sierra Club for
a special workshop to learn how to create a rain garden in your own yard. Participants will be
entered in a drawing to win one of ten rain garden plant kits, valued at $75.
When: MAY 6, 6:30 PM Where: Contact us for location.
MONITOR Training, Part I: Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index
What: This day-long training is for new stream monitors (or existing monitors who want to brush up on
their skills). No previous monitoring experience or scientific background is necessary. The course
is free of charge, and participants agree to give back an equivalent number of volunteer hours to
FLOW’s monitoring program.
may
When: May 15, 9 AM to 4 PM Where: TBD. Please contact the FLOW office to register.
Riverfest 2010
What: Visit the FLOW booth at the kickoff celebration for the month-long Riverfest 2010. The event will
include live music, a performance of WaterFire, boat rides, food, and prizes.
When: May 21, 7:30 to 10:30 PM Where: Along the Scioto River, in Genoa Park, near COSI.
august
Check http://www.riverfestcolumbus.org/kickoff.html for more details.
MONITOR Training, Part II: Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index
What: This two-day training is for new stream monitors (or existing monitors who want to brush up on
their skills). No previous monitoring experience or scientific background is necessary. The course
is free of charge, and participants agree to give back an equivalent number of volunteer hours to
FLOW’s monitoring program.
When: May 22 & 23, 9 AM to 4 PM Where: TBD. Please contact the FLOW office to register.
FLOW Annual Meeting
JUNE
What: Join FLOW members for a short hike at 6:30 followed by our annual business meeting at 7:15.
When: JUNE 3, 6:30 PM Where: Highbanks Metro Park
Information FLOW: Page 3
 YES! I want to support FLOW
for cleaner water! Explore. Discover. Understand. SPring/summer 2010
Choose a membership: Fill in the following:
( ) Individual........................ $25 ( ) New Member
( ) Family............................. $40 ( ) Renewal 3528 N. High St., Suite F

Information
( ) Supporting.................... $50 ( ) Gift Columbus, OH 43214
( ) River Steward.............. $100
( ) Business Basic............. $175 Name(s):
( ) Bronze.......................... $200
( ) Silver............................ $300 Organization/Business:
( ) Gold............................. $500
( ) Sustaining................. $1,000 Address:
( ) Please check here if you
City:
would like more ­information
about volunteering with FLOW.
State:
( ) Please check here for more
information about including
Zip:
FLOW in your estate
planning.
Phone:
Return this form to: Volunteers installing a
FLOW Email: demonstration rain garden at the
Unitarian Universalist Church
3528 N. High St., Suite F in Clintonville.
Columbus, OH 43214 By providing your email,
you will save resources
Or give securely online at: and stay up-to-date on
www.olentangywatershed.org news and events.

“When I First Hopped into the

Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed is a non-profit
River”– A Volunteer Profile
Information

organization dedicated to keeping the Olentangy River clean and

safe for all to enjoy through public education, volunteer activities, and In February, OSU student James Talbert took a few JT: What motivates you to work with FLOW?
coordination with local decision makers. FLOW is registered with the minutes to interview Marilyn Hay, an active FLOW MH: Just the fact that through my work with FLOW
IRS as a tax-exempt, nonprofit charitable organization under Section volunteer and member, to learn more about how she
Published By I get hands-on experience and hands-on
FLOW Board of Directors 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible. became involved and what has inspired her. This information about doing something beneficial.
Laura Shinn, President is the first in an occasional series to honor the
Rich Wissler, Vice President Because FLOW is a small organization, we rely heavily on many volunteers who make up the backbone of JT: What kinds of work do you do with FLOW?
David White, Treasurer volunteer participation to create positive change in our MH: With the monitoring program I’m able to jump in
FLOW’s organization.
Laura Fay, Secretary watershed. Please contact us for more information about how you and investigate, which I really enjoy. We received
Ted Miller
can volunteer. We have a wide variety of opportunities to fit your JT: So, Marilyn, how did you get involved with forty hours of instruction that covered everything
Bernardo Rico
Mike Sapp schedule that will match your skills and interests. FLOW? from wild flowers to environmental controls for
Nikhil Shah MH: I heard about the backyard conservation program construction sites. What they have us monitor is
Joe Tribble FLOW is a member of Earth Share Ohio. You may donate to FLOW the health of the streams that flow into the
from a friend. We went to a workshop and I picked
through Earth Share’s workplace giving campaign, available at up a fifty-gallon rainwater collection barrel. When Olentangy River. You turn over rocks and check
Newsletter Editors numerous private companies, state and municipal government you go to the workshop you can pick up one of out what’s under them in order to assess the
Heather Dean, Watershed Coordinator
agencies, and Combined Federal Campaigns. For more information these rainwater barrels at a discounted price. health of the stream. You also have to take into
Newsletter Layout about workplace giving, please contact us. I have three of them now. consideration what the steam is made of, the
Ellie Nowels, Centipede Graphics environment around the stream, and you classify
JT: What do you do with the rainwater you the stream according to a point code that tells you
Contact FLOW collect? how healthy the stream is.
3528 N. High St., Suite F MH: Every time it rains I have fifty gallons of water to
Columbus, OH 43214 water for use outdoors. See Profile on page 2
(614) 267-3386
info@olentangywatershed.org
www.olentangywatershed.org